Michael Lira, the 15-year-old Spruce Creek sophomore chasing a career in racing, took another giant step in the process when he was approved for an ARCA competition license.

Lira, Port Orange, made his Super Late Model debut last weekend at New Smyrna Speedway, finishing fourth in a 100-lap Brighthouse Series race then finished second in the Pro Trucks division at the half-mile, high-banked asphalt oval in Samsula.

Lira may see his first ARCA competition this year, but his family says he’ll likely make his ARCA debut on a short track in 2013. He is not eligible to compete in the ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway in February.